Uranium is a chemical still to this day that scientist are unsure of how it was formed. It is very harmful and highly radioactive, as you can see by its major uses. Such as nuclear powered weapons and fuel. If exposed to Uranium health implications are lung cancer, and chronic pulmonary disease, and even death from the body being exposed to alpha and beta particles, which are emitted through radon.
Though this chemical is highly radioactive it has its uses in our everyday items and tools. Which are inertial guidance devices, in gyrocompasses, counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, ballast for missile reentry vehicles, Vaseline, glass, glazes and as a shielding material. Since Uranium can cause major health issues and complications due to its high level of radioactivity and is used in our everyday lives, there needs to be more awareness of this chemical and the items that contain this chemical. If awareness of this chemical can’t be put out there enough and in a strong message to the public, then all items containing Uranium should be banned.
If the right actions of awareness aren’t taken, then what good does it do the environment if people are disposing of these items containing Uranium, as if they were a normal piece of trash? All this does is raise the chance of the average citizen of the U.S or another country using or coming in contact with these items containing Uranium, overtime to come in contact with health complications. If there aren’t many other solutions to making these everyday items other than with Uranium, at least show those a safe way to dispose of it without health and environmental effects. With all this said, I attend myself to aware those unsure of the chemical Uranium and its downfalls.
Background
Uranium was named after the planet Uranus, which itself was named after Uranus of Greek mythology, who was the god of the sky. Uranium is a heavy, silver-like metal that is pyrophoric. Uranium occurs in numerous minerals such as pitchblende, uraninite, carnotite, autunite, uranophane, and tobernite. It also can be found in phosphate rock, lignite, and monazite sands. Uranium can be prepared by reducing the number of halides contained in the metal, with alkali or alkaline earth metals. Reducing the oxides in Uranium by using calcium, aluminum, or carbon at high temperatures can also do further steps of preparing Uranium.
Scientist and researchers have used a specific form of Uranium, Uranuim-238 with a half-life of 4.51 x 109 years as a way to estimate the age of various igneous rocks. Uranium is also can be used for nuclear fuel. Uranium-238 can be formed into plutonium. In which plutonium is used to make nuclear explosives and or bombs. Uranium-235 has the role in making Uranium itself, accessible. Pure Uranium, with a small percent of Uranium-235 is used to fuel nuclear power reactors to generate electricity.
Uranium in fact is not very easy to get your hands on; it is controlled and issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Other uses of Uranium are used in inertial guidance devices, in gyrocompasses, counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, ballast for missile reentry vehicles, and as a shielding material. Uranium metal is used as targets of X-ray for production that contains high energy. Uranium salts have been used when making Vaseline that is yellow glass and glazes. Though Uranium is very useful in each of our lives sooner or later it also is quite hazardous. If in the wrong hands it can be used as Nuclear power, which is very deadly, and it if inhaled or admitted in or through the body it can be highly radioactive.
Synthesis/Production
There are many theories that scientist have come up with explaining how Uranium was formed. Such as satellites powered by mini reactors that contained depleted Uranium, exploded into the earth’s atmosphere, and nuclear weapons tested in space also may have formed Uranium. One of the more, recent and strong theories supported, is that Uranium was created by supernova. Cosmo chemists have been looking at patterns of elements in galaxies and their secular trends but also the number of anomalies in specific stars that may occur because of different nuclei. The Uranium in the earths crust is believed to have formed within one or two supernovae. The process of supernova forming Uranium is believed to have been by, the rapid capture of neutrons on seed nuclei at speeds greater than the gravitational compression of iron, collapsing stars within the galaxies. Which later triggered pieces of the star to explode off into space with tons of neutrons.
As of this Uranium has been scattered deep within the earth’s crust, but can be dug up through mines. From the mines, increasing the “middle-weight” and “light-weight” of Uranium atoms refines the Uranium itself. “When Uranium is mined, it consists of heavy-weight atoms (about 99.3% of the mass), middle-weight atoms (70%), and light-weight atoms (< 0.01%)”. These isotopes, contain 92 protons in the atom center that help make Uranium what it is. There are 146 neutrons contained within the heavy weight atoms, 143 neutrons contained within middleweight atoms and 142 neutrons within the lightweight atoms. Scientist add the number of protons and neutrons and place the totals after each form of Uranium. Such as Uranium-234, Uranium -234, Uranium-235, Uranium -235, and Uranium-238 and Uranium -238. In order for the Uranium to be used as nuclear fuel their needs to be higher concentrations of Uranium-235, than found in Uranium-ore. The normal amount of Uranium-235 is .5% to .7% of the Uranium’s mass.
Uranium is refined for non-nuclear fuel objects such as guidance devices, in gyrocompasses, and counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, by reducing the number of halides contained in the metal, with alkali or alkaline earth metals. Reducing the oxides in Uranium by using calcium, aluminum, or carbon at high temperatures can also do further steps of preparing Uranium. Uranium can also be refined by electrolysis of KUF5 or UF4, dissolved in a molten mixture of CaCl2 and NaCl. High-purity uranium can be prepared by the thermal decomposition of uranium halides on a hot filament. Chemical reactions of Uranium include 4 K + UCl4 4 KCl + U. Other equations of alpha and beta chemicals include 238U234Th + 4He(alpha) and 238U234Th + 4He(beta).
Human Health Implications
Though some of our everyday house holds items contain Uranium, there are more serious issues with those who work in mines containing Uranium. Uranium is mined through out Southwest parts of the United States and the Navajo Nation. From the point in which the Uranium is mined, it is later shipped through out different parts of the world where. Later it can be very helpful in making everyday items and tools. The bigger problem is those working in the Uranium mines, may have some health issues in the future. Uranium decays into a colorless, odorless and radioactive gas called radon. Eventually radon decays into more harmful radioactive elements called progeny that collects on dust particles. From here these radioactive elements can emit alpha and beta particles, as well as gamma radiation.
As Uranium mining is occurring, radon and alpha particles are being inhaled into the lungs of the workers, increasing their likely hood of coming in contact with lung cancer. In addition to lung cancer, chronic pulmonary disease can also be developed, due to the inhalation of the silica dust particles in the Uranium. Places such as Colorado, Utah and in New Mexico have a large number of mines and produce the largest amount of uranium ore in the world. Which means that the people of those states are more likely to have health problems in the future. The water quality as well can be affected by Uranium in places that partake in mining Uranium because the Uranium itself emits radionuclide, which is gaseous and can travel airborne, out of the mines and into bodies of water where it can be absorbed. Some of these bodies of water can be the source of drinking water of the people in that given region. Drinking water containing radionuclide can increase the risk of bone cancer and affect the way that the kidney works by allowing toxins into the kidney cells.
Environmental Implications
The systems in which Uranium reacts in are all atomically, such as potassium and chloride. The equation is written as 4 K + UCl4 4 KCl + U. Other equations of alpha and beta chemicals include 238U234Th + 4He(alpha) and 238U234Th + 4He(beta). When Uranium degrades alpha particles are emitted in and through out the atmosphere. The alpha particles are also radioactive and eventually decay as well releasing beta particles. This process normally takes 24 days to fully complete itself these two reactions go through a 14-step nuclear decaying processed known as the Uranium decay series. After 6 of the beta and 8 of the alpha particles are emitted a stable isotope is formed (Pb-206). Uranium can be disposed of in low-level radioactive waste facilities.
Economic/Political Impact
If Uranium were banned, big companies such as Cameco, that produce Uranium oxide would fall into debt. Cameco is the largest producer of Uranium oxide in the world. Cameco produces 20% of the worlds Uranium oxide that is a supplement for nuclear fuel/energy. As the production of Uranium goes up, the more nuclear reactors, that are being built around the world. Countries building most of these reactors include India, Europe and China. These countries also export Uranium as well. The government has gotten to the point where it’s more about the money made from these nuclear fuel reactors that they have forgotten about the people and the environmental impact that Uranium has on them. The problem is, that we as individuals don’t always take the time to actually learn about harmful chemicals like Uranium.
The products in which we would not have if Uranium were banned are nuclear weapons, ballast for missile reentry vehicles, shielding materials, targets of X-ray for production that contains high energy, Vaseline that is yellow glass and glazes. As of now there are no other solutions and or replacements for Uranium. If Uranium was banned it really wouldn’t have any affect on the average American because the uses are very limited to the average American. Most Uranium is used as nuclear fuel/energy and most of the average Americans in the world do not have easy access to Uranium whether its to expensive or hard to get your hands on. The political ramifications of Uranium is since that 20% of the world’s money comes from Uranium and making other resources, the world looses all of that money as well as some employees.
Summary
Another alternative for replacing Uranium as a nuclear fuel is thorium. Thorium is a rare earth metal that is designed to produce electricity. Thorium was used as a fuel resource in the world’s first land sited nuclear power plant located at Shipping Port, Pennsylvania. By using Thorium instead of Uranium this allows nuclear power plants to cut back on the pollutants of radioactive waste. The mineral, monazite is a common ore of thorium in which it can also be used as a new source of nuclear fuel. These metals are rare and aren’t mined in the U.S anymore, which may have an affect on whether or not nuclear-fueled plants and other items Containing Uranium can be replaced with Thorium.
Table of Contents
Abstract
Uranium is a chemical still to this day that scientist are unsure of how it was formed. It is very harmful and highly radioactive, as you can see by its major uses. Such as nuclear powered weapons and fuel. If exposed to Uranium health implications are lung cancer, and chronic pulmonary disease, and even death from the body being exposed to alpha and beta particles, which are emitted through radon.Though this chemical is highly radioactive it has its uses in our everyday items and tools. Which are inertial guidance devices, in gyrocompasses, counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, ballast for missile reentry vehicles, Vaseline, glass, glazes and as a shielding material. Since Uranium can cause major health issues and complications due to its high level of radioactivity and is used in our everyday lives, there needs to be more awareness of this chemical and the items that contain this chemical. If awareness of this chemical can’t be put out there enough and in a strong message to the public, then all items containing Uranium should be banned.
If the right actions of awareness aren’t taken, then what good does it do the environment if people are disposing of these items containing Uranium, as if they were a normal piece of trash? All this does is raise the chance of the average citizen of the U.S or another country using or coming in contact with these items containing Uranium, overtime to come in contact with health complications. If there aren’t many other solutions to making these everyday items other than with Uranium, at least show those a safe way to dispose of it without health and environmental effects. With all this said, I attend myself to aware those unsure of the chemical Uranium and its downfalls.
Background
Uranium was named after the planet Uranus, which itself was named after Uranus of Greek mythology, who was the god of the sky. Uranium is a heavy, silver-like metal that is pyrophoric. Uranium occurs in numerous minerals such as pitchblende, uraninite, carnotite, autunite, uranophane, and tobernite. It also can be found in phosphate rock, lignite, and monazite sands. Uranium can be prepared by reducing the number of halides contained in the metal, with alkali or alkaline earth metals. Reducing the oxides in Uranium by using calcium, aluminum, or carbon at high temperatures can also do further steps of preparing Uranium.Scientist and researchers have used a specific form of Uranium, Uranuim-238 with a half-life of 4.51 x 109 years as a way to estimate the age of various igneous rocks. Uranium is also can be used for nuclear fuel. Uranium-238 can be formed into plutonium. In which plutonium is used to make nuclear explosives and or bombs. Uranium-235 has the role in making Uranium itself, accessible. Pure Uranium, with a small percent of Uranium-235 is used to fuel nuclear power reactors to generate electricity.
Uranium in fact is not very easy to get your hands on; it is controlled and issued by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Other uses of Uranium are used in inertial guidance devices, in gyrocompasses, counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, ballast for missile reentry vehicles, and as a shielding material. Uranium metal is used as targets of X-ray for production that contains high energy. Uranium salts have been used when making Vaseline that is yellow glass and glazes. Though Uranium is very useful in each of our lives sooner or later it also is quite hazardous. If in the wrong hands it can be used as Nuclear power, which is very deadly, and it if inhaled or admitted in or through the body it can be highly radioactive.
Synthesis/Production
There are many theories that scientist have come up with explaining how Uranium was formed. Such as satellites powered by mini reactors that contained depleted Uranium, exploded into the earth’s atmosphere, and nuclear weapons tested in space also may have formed Uranium. One of the more, recent and strong theories supported, is that Uranium was created by supernova. Cosmo chemists have been looking at patterns of elements in galaxies and their secular trends but also the number of anomalies in specific stars that may occur because of different nuclei. The Uranium in the earths crust is believed to have formed within one or two supernovae. The process of supernova forming Uranium is believed to have been by, the rapid capture of neutrons on seed nuclei at speeds greater than the gravitational compression of iron, collapsing stars within the galaxies. Which later triggered pieces of the star to explode off into space with tons of neutrons.As of this Uranium has been scattered deep within the earth’s crust, but can be dug up through mines. From the mines, increasing the “middle-weight” and “light-weight” of Uranium atoms refines the Uranium itself. “When Uranium is mined, it consists of heavy-weight atoms (about 99.3% of the mass), middle-weight atoms (70%), and light-weight atoms (< 0.01%)”. These isotopes, contain 92 protons in the atom center that help make Uranium what it is. There are 146 neutrons contained within the heavy weight atoms, 143 neutrons contained within middleweight atoms and 142 neutrons within the lightweight atoms. Scientist add the number of protons and neutrons and place the totals after each form of Uranium. Such as Uranium-234, Uranium -234, Uranium-235, Uranium -235, and Uranium-238 and Uranium -238. In order for the Uranium to be used as nuclear fuel their needs to be higher concentrations of Uranium-235, than found in Uranium-ore. The normal amount of Uranium-235 is .5% to .7% of the Uranium’s mass.
Uranium is refined for non-nuclear fuel objects such as guidance devices, in gyrocompasses, and counterweights for aircraft control surfaces, by reducing the number of halides contained in the metal, with alkali or alkaline earth metals. Reducing the oxides in Uranium by using calcium, aluminum, or carbon at high temperatures can also do further steps of preparing Uranium. Uranium can also be refined by electrolysis of KUF5 or UF4, dissolved in a molten mixture of CaCl2 and NaCl. High-purity uranium can be prepared by the thermal decomposition of uranium halides on a hot filament. Chemical reactions of Uranium include 4 K + UCl4 4 KCl + U. Other equations of alpha and beta chemicals include 238U234Th + 4He(alpha) and 238U234Th + 4He(beta).
Human Health Implications
Though some of our everyday house holds items contain Uranium, there are more serious issues with those who work in mines containing Uranium. Uranium is mined through out Southwest parts of the United States and the Navajo Nation. From the point in which the Uranium is mined, it is later shipped through out different parts of the world where. Later it can be very helpful in making everyday items and tools. The bigger problem is those working in the Uranium mines, may have some health issues in the future. Uranium decays into a colorless, odorless and radioactive gas called radon. Eventually radon decays into more harmful radioactive elements called progeny that collects on dust particles. From here these radioactive elements can emit alpha and beta particles, as well as gamma radiation.As Uranium mining is occurring, radon and alpha particles are being inhaled into the lungs of the workers, increasing their likely hood of coming in contact with lung cancer. In addition to lung cancer, chronic pulmonary disease can also be developed, due to the inhalation of the silica dust particles in the Uranium. Places such as Colorado, Utah and in New Mexico have a large number of mines and produce the largest amount of uranium ore in the world. Which means that the people of those states are more likely to have health problems in the future. The water quality as well can be affected by Uranium in places that partake in mining Uranium because the Uranium itself emits radionuclide, which is gaseous and can travel airborne, out of the mines and into bodies of water where it can be absorbed. Some of these bodies of water can be the source of drinking water of the people in that given region. Drinking water containing radionuclide can increase the risk of bone cancer and affect the way that the kidney works by allowing toxins into the kidney cells.
Environmental Implications
The systems in which Uranium reacts in are all atomically, such as potassium and chloride. The equation is written as 4 K + UCl4 4 KCl + U. Other equations of alpha and beta chemicals include 238U234Th + 4He(alpha) and 238U234Th + 4He(beta). When Uranium degrades alpha particles are emitted in and through out the atmosphere. The alpha particles are also radioactive and eventually decay as well releasing beta particles. This process normally takes 24 days to fully complete itself these two reactions go through a 14-step nuclear decaying processed known as the Uranium decay series. After 6 of the beta and 8 of the alpha particles are emitted a stable isotope is formed (Pb-206). Uranium can be disposed of in low-level radioactive waste facilities.Economic/Political Impact
If Uranium were banned, big companies such as Cameco, that produce Uranium oxide would fall into debt. Cameco is the largest producer of Uranium oxide in the world. Cameco produces 20% of the worlds Uranium oxide that is a supplement for nuclear fuel/energy. As the production of Uranium goes up, the more nuclear reactors, that are being built around the world. Countries building most of these reactors include India, Europe and China. These countries also export Uranium as well. The government has gotten to the point where it’s more about the money made from these nuclear fuel reactors that they have forgotten about the people and the environmental impact that Uranium has on them. The problem is, that we as individuals don’t always take the time to actually learn about harmful chemicals like Uranium.The products in which we would not have if Uranium were banned are nuclear weapons, ballast for missile reentry vehicles, shielding materials, targets of X-ray for production that contains high energy, Vaseline that is yellow glass and glazes. As of now there are no other solutions and or replacements for Uranium. If Uranium was banned it really wouldn’t have any affect on the average American because the uses are very limited to the average American. Most Uranium is used as nuclear fuel/energy and most of the average Americans in the world do not have easy access to Uranium whether its to expensive or hard to get your hands on. The political ramifications of Uranium is since that 20% of the world’s money comes from Uranium and making other resources, the world looses all of that money as well as some employees.
Summary
Another alternative for replacing Uranium as a nuclear fuel is thorium. Thorium is a rare earth metal that is designed to produce electricity. Thorium was used as a fuel resource in the world’s first land sited nuclear power plant located at Shipping Port, Pennsylvania. By using Thorium instead of Uranium this allows nuclear power plants to cut back on the pollutants of radioactive waste. The mineral, monazite is a common ore of thorium in which it can also be used as a new source of nuclear fuel. These metals are rare and aren’t mined in the U.S anymore, which may have an affect on whether or not nuclear-fueled plants and other items Containing Uranium can be replaced with Thorium.PSA